Shruti Ahlawat completes remarkable comeback story with maiden pro singles title in New Delhi
Indian tennis witnessed another promising breakthrough week as 19-year-old Shruti Ahlawat captured her maiden professional singles title at the ITF W15 New Delhi, completing an impressive run that highlighted both her resilience and growing maturity on court.
The sixth-seeded Indian defeated Poland’s Zuzanna Kolonus 7-5, 2-6, 7-6(3) in a gripping final to secure the biggest title of her young career. In a match filled with momentum swings, physical exchanges and pressure moments, Shruti held her nerve in the decisive tiebreak to finally close out victory after nearly three hours of intense tennis. For a player who spent nearly two years battling injuries and struggling to build continuity, the triumph carried significance far beyond rankings points or a trophy.
It was a statement that one of India’s highly-rated junior prospects is finally beginning to rediscover her trajectory. Shruti’s title run in New Delhi was built not only on strong tennis but also on her ability to survive difficult situations repeatedly through the week. Her campaign truly gathered momentum in the quarterfinals when she upset top-seeded Indian player Zeel Desai in straight sets.
That match showcased Shruti’s composure under pressure. After trailing 1-4 in the opening set, she steadily fought her way back into the contest through disciplined baseline play and improved shot selection. Even in the second set, when she nearly allowed a commanding lead to slip away, she regained control at the critical moment to secure a 6-4, 6-4 victory. The win immediately established her as one of the strongest contenders left in the draw.
But her semifinal performance may have been even more impressive.
Facing 14-year-old sensation Jensi Dipakbhai Kanabar the breakout story of the tournament Shruti produced a ruthless response after a competitive start. Trailing 2-4 in the opening set, she suddenly elevated her level dramatically and went on a stunning run of 10 consecutive games to dismantle the teenager 6-4, 6-0. Jensi had entered the semifinal carrying enormous momentum after becoming the youngest Indian female ever to reach the semifinals of a professional singles event, breaking a long-standing record previously held by Sania Mirza.
But Shruti’s experience and physical consistency ultimately proved decisive. By the time she entered the final against Kolonus, confidence was clearly building in her game. The final itself became a true test of temperament.
Shruti started strongly and edged a tight first set 7-5 through aggressive returning and steady baseline exchanges. However, Kolonus responded impressively in the second set, taking advantage of a slight dip in intensity from the Indian to level the contest comfortably at 6-2. At that stage, momentum appeared to be shifting firmly toward the Polish player. Instead, Shruti produced her strongest response of the week. The deciding set evolved into a tense battle where neither player managed to fully break away. Both traded service breaks while struggling physically under the Delhi conditions, but Shruti continued competing aggressively during the important rallies. Eventually, the title came down to a final-set tiebreak.
That was where the Indian played some of her cleanest tennis of the tournament. Shruti attacked with greater intent, trusted her forehand under pressure and maintained composure during extended exchanges to close out the tiebreak 7-3 and secure her maiden professional singles title. The victory marks an important milestone in her comeback journey. Before injuries interrupted her development, Shruti had long been considered one of India’s promising young players capable of making a successful transition from junior to professional tennis. However, extended time away from the circuit slowed that progression significantly and forced her into a lengthy rebuilding phase.
This week in New Delhi offered the clearest indication yet that her game is beginning to stabilise again. Perhaps the most encouraging aspect of her title run was not just the result itself but the quality of opposition she defeated along the way. Beating the top seed Zeel Desai, overcoming the in-form Jensi Kanabar and handling the pressure of a three-set final all reflected a growing maturity that had often been missing due to her interrupted development.
The title will also provide a valuable boost to her ranking and confidence as she attempts to climb steadily through the ITF circuit over the remainder of the season. For Indian women’s tennis, the tournament also highlighted the growing depth emerging below the senior national level. Alongside Shruti’s triumph, the performances of Jensi Kanabar, Aditi Rawat and several other young Indian players created optimism about the next generation gradually building through the domestic ITF structure.
But in the end, the week belonged to Shruti Ahlawat.
After years spent battling injuries, uncertainty and interrupted progress, the 19-year-old finally has a professional singles title to show for her persistence — and perhaps the first major sign that her comeback is truly underway.
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